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Founded in 1981, Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits markets quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. With our headquarters in Stamford, CT, DFWS has grown to become the fourth largest Wine and Spirits Company, by far the fastest growing in our industry.

Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits currently seeks a Brand Manager, Vodka and Whiskey Brands. The role will fully manage Luksusowa Polish Vodka and support the Senior Brand Managers of Redemption Whiskey and Bib & Tucker Bourbon. Based out of our Stamford, CT office, the role offers a high degree of flexibility for those living/commuting within the NYC area. The position will require, on average, a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. The office is available every day as needed.

Position Summary

Luksusowa Vodka was founded in 1928 and has consistently championed Poland’s rich vodka heritage for nearly 100 years. To make each bottle, Luksusowa uses 45 fresh potatoes sourced from the same family farms for nearly a century. Distilling from select potatoes results in a smoother, richer taste compared to beet or grain-based vodkas. While not yet a household brand in America, Luksusowa is the #1 selling potato vodka in the world, earning 40+ international awards and critical acclaim from top press along the way.

Redemption Whiskey is bringing back bold, spicy, ‘rye-forward’ whiskey allowing today’s whiskey lovers to rediscover America’s original favorite. Our rye-forward offerings are inspired by pre-Prohibition recipes, paying homage to a lost era and bringing it back to the forefront of American whiskey culture. Redemption's growing franchise resides in two distinct segments – Premium ($20-30) and Ultra Premium ($45+). Redemption has 3 core variants in the Premium segment referred to as “the Classics” - Rye, Bourbon, and High Rye Bourbon. The Ultra Premium variants include Wheated, Rye Rum Cask Finish, High Rye Bourbon Single Barrel, Cognac Cask Finished Bourbon, three Barrel Proof variants and the Ancients series.

Bib & Tucker Bourbon is a small batch bourbon distilled in the hills of Tennessee inspired by a time when our country expanded from coast to coast, at a rate never seen before, or since. Bib & Tucker small batch bourbon captures this time when everything and everyone seemed to come together. Our flagship luxury variant, the Bib & Tucker 6 y/o, has an aroma of vanilla and sweet hay, smooth entry, and is nicely balanced with a hint of pecan pie sweetness and a warm, rich, spicy sensation. The 10 and 12 y/o’s offer additional levels of tasting notes and complexity.

The Brand Manager will report directly to the Vice President, Spirits Marketing and be responsible for creating Luksusowa’s consumer and commercial strategies, developing creative platforms & programming, executing plans, managing the P&L, and evaluating performance in line with Deutsch’s long-term performance goals.

This role will lead a range of whiskey brand responsibilities including the coveted whiskey single barrel program across all internal functions, the dynamic organic social media content across relevant channels, and the development of commercial holiday programming.

Qualifications:

• BS/BA in marketing or a related degree
• 3+ years of brand management experience, preferably related to the spirits industry or FMCG (related agency experience will be considered)
• Up-to-date on marketing trends, new media platforms and benchmarking with other industries
• Ability to identify and act from compelling consumer insights through brand strategies and tactics
• Have a thorough understanding of brand positioning as the foundation to brand building and communication initiatives
• Strong analytical skills - identify the full story and define implications from data analysis (can readily identify insights in ships/deps/consumption data and translate to action)
• Forward thinker, who proactively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions
• Positive attitude and influence
• Excellent relationship skills required with day-to-day contact with the Global Team in Poland (Pernod Ricard), marketing agencies, internal departments, distributor networks, etc
• Ability to lead and manage projects with cross-functional teams across the company and our distributor network
• Team oriented player that thrives in a collaborative environment
• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Ability to function effectively in fast-paced, multi-faceted business environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong presentation skills
• Deadline oriented self-starter who is proactive and holds self to high standard of work quality
• Excellent project management skills
• Ability to interface efficiently at all levels of the organization and distributor network

Responsibilities:

Luksusowa

• Manage annual brand planning cycle. Plan and implement highly focused brand plans that concentrate on fewer, bigger growth drivers / ideas
• Responsible for the delivery of volume, share and profit objectives consistent with overall brand strategy
• Work closely with the Sales and Business Intelligence teams to enhance commercial programming and go-to-market strategies in existing channels of trade
• Further develop understanding of current/target consumer, which will be key in future plans
• Creativity / cut-through versus competitors is essential. Marketing programming must win the hearts and minds of target consumers
• Manage marketing agencies and internal creative resources and inspire them to deliver their most creative, efficient, and on-strategy work
• Ensure maximum collaboration between agencies for full 360 marketing plans: fully-integrated consumer campaigns – advertising development, PR, in-store, social media, video, etc
• Track and manage brand performance across the marketing mix, assist with KPI development across the marketing mix, as well as traditional sales metrics (IRI, NABCA, NPD, ROI, brand P&L)
• Manage A&P budget and maximize the impact of spend
• Prioritization of, planning for and investment in geographic, channel (subcategories of both on and off-premise), variant and size mix strategies
• Work with our commercial team and distributor partners to generate and build excitement for the trade
• Lead development and presentation of quarterly business reviews with supplier partner, ensuring an utmost professionalism and alignment from all internal stakeholders, including executive leadership
• Expand test market model into a regional test with a scaled strategy

Whiskeys

• Oversee the Redemption High Rye Bourbon and Single Barrel Whiskey Programs including the sale, sampling, marketing, production, logistics and overall impact of one of the most profitable whiskey offerings in the DFWS portfolio
• Develop and manage Redemption’s disruptive and breakthrough retail holiday programming inspire peak season gifting
• Oversee and manage the Bib & Tucker flow POS annually to breakthrough at shelf and drive consumer interest in store; including but not limited to working with the PR team to highlight key awards on the brand
• Manage Redemption and Bib & Tucker’s social media content pillars, calendars, and channels to positively engage visitors and loyalists

Diversity Commitment

DFWS is committed to inclusion and diversity of all kinds. We cultivate a work environment that celebrates diversity because differences continue to make the company culture stronger, enhance our connection with the communities we serve and strengthen our competitive advantage. Building an inclusive and diverse culture continues to be a never-ending pursuit that is at the core of all we do.

About Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits

Initially called W.J. Deutsch & Sons Ltd., the company was founded in 1981 by Chairman Bill Deutsch to market quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. In 2009, it announced the expansion of the award-winning company to include a Spirits Portfolio. Today the company is renowned for its brand-building prowess and its ability to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Bill's son Peter Deutsch is CEO; thus, two generations of the Deutsch family work side by side in their continuous quest to build strong brands and relationships throughout the wine and spirits industry.

The portfolio includes award-winning wines from Australia: [ yellow tail ], [ yellow tail ] Pure Bright; California: Bellacosa, Girard Winery, Joseph Carr, Josh Cellars, Josh Cellars Reserve, Layer Cake, The Calling; France: Andre Lurton, Beau Joie, Cave de Lugny, Fleurs de Prairie, Hob Nob Vineyards, Sauvion et Fils; Italy: Barone Fini, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Argentina: Clos de los Siete; and award-winning spirits: Redemption Whiskey, Bib & Tucker Bourbon, Masterson's Rye, Gray Whale Gin and Luksusowa Vodka. www.deutschfamily.com